Counting device



June 14, 1960 M. FQNEWMARK ETAL COUNTING DEVICE 2. Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJuly l0, 1956 1 4 iii 7 Jr w Ilium:

I NVENTOR.S': Marsha/l F. Newmark Raymond F. Olson June 14, 1960 M. F.NEWMARK ET AL 4 COUNTING DEVICE Filed .July 10, 1956' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS: Marsha/l F Newmark Raymond f. O/son ET-Tm United StatesPatent COUNTING DEVICE Marshall F. Newmark and Raymond F. Olson, LaMesa, Calif.; Nancy A. Newmark, executrix of said Marshall F. Newmark,deceased Filed July 10, 1956, Ser. No. 596,905

9 Claims. (Cl. 235-91) This invention relates generally to countermechanisms and more particularly to an improved form of counter deviceadapted to count and register individually a number of separate itemsand to totalize the values of such individual counts.

Though the present invention is of general application it isparticularly adapted for use in the lumber industry to assist in fillingorders for loads of lumber. Sales of lumber in this industry are made onthe basis of board footage measure. To determine board footage it isnecessary to ascertain the lineal footage of the lumber comprising theload. However, effecting this determination is burdensome since ordersfor lumber are conventionally filled by supplying lumber in randomlengths, such lengths being in even number of feet and varying from onelength size to the next larger by increments of two feet. To acquireknowledge regarding the various lengths in a load and the number of eachof these lengths, it is the custom in the industry, as a load is beingmade up, to have a tally man present whose task is to count and make apencil notation on a tally sheet of the pieces of lumber of each lengthas each piece is placed in the load. The tally man has no way of knowingwhen the proper amount of lumber has been accumulated and, therefore,must, at the time he believes the load to contain the footage ordered bythe customer, halt the loading crew and make his computations. In thiscomputing process he will multiply the number of pieces of each length,using the number he has pencilled .on his tally sheet, by the number oflineal feet in that length and, thereafter, add has various totals todetermine if the lumber present in the load is in accordance with theorder. If the total is at variance with the required total then piecesmust be added to the load if there is a deficiency, or subtracted fromthe load if there is an overage. Obviously, filling a load by this:means is a laborious and time-consuming procedure and, clearly, issubject to arithmetical errors. Further, since there is chance forarithmetical error the tally sheet which is turned into the office bythe telly man is checked by at least one other man and if error is foundthen :the load must be disturbed.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide :a countingmechanism which can be used in the field to afford an accurate runningpiece-count, vat all times, of the various lengths of lumber beingplaced in a load, .and simultaneously an accurate aggregate total of thelineal feet present, so that a load of lumber may be quickly, correctly,and efliciently accumulated.

It is, further, an important object of this invention to provide animproved form of counting mechanism which 'will provide individualtotals of a number of items and :a cumulative total of the values ofsuch items, which mechanism is rapid in its action, accurate in itsinformaition, and requires no undue effort in its operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide-a count- .ing mechanismwhich comprises a plurality of individu- ."al counters for providinginformation concerning indi- 2,940,666 Patented June 14, 1960 vidualquantities of a number of items and a totalizing counter which isactuated simultaneously with each individual counter for indicating thetotal value of the individual quantities.

Another object of the invention resides in the construction of acounting device which is simple and durable, economical to manufacture,and which effectively and efliciently performs the purpose for which itwas designed.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from the following specificationand appended drawings illustrating a certain preferred embodiment inwhich:

Figure l is a top plan view of a counting device in accordance with thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along theline II-II of Figure 1.

, Figure 3 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view along the lineIlI-III of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the correcting assembly of the presentdevice, and

Figure 5 is an exploded view of elements of the actuator assembly of thepresent device.

Having particular reference now to the drawings an illustrativeembodiment of the present counting device is shown therein and isindicated in its entirety generally by the numeral 10 Counting device 10comprises a counter actuator assembly 11, a plurality of counters 12, asumming or totalizing counter 13, and a reset arrange ment 14, allsupported by a casing or housing 15.

As shown in Figure -1 the counters 12, in the present embodiment, arearranged in two groups of six counters each, one group on either side ofthe centrally located counter actuator 11 and the individual counters ofeach group being in aligned arrangement relative to one another.

Casing or housing 15 includes a base 16 and a generally pan-shaped cover17. Upon the cover 17 appropriate indicia are suitably painted orimprinted in association with the counters 12. Since the present embodiment is intended for use in the counting of lumber of variantlength, the counters 12 are identified by numerals corresponding tousual or convenient lengths in which lumber may be sold. In the presentcase it will be assumed that the lumber to be counted is available inlengths ranging from 2 feet to 24 feet varying from each other byincrements of two feet. It is understood that this invention is notlimited to the particular number of counters shown but that anyappropriate number may be employed dependent on the desired task or useto which the present counting device is intended. The number of counters12 employed will correspond to the number of items or articlesconcerning which it is desired to maintain an accurate account.

Cover 17, generally centrally between its lateral sides, has a generallycircular raised portion 18 die-cast or otherwise suitably formed thereinand having an annular opening 19. Raised portion 18 includes a generallyupright annular wall 21 having an inwardly directed flange 22 whoseinner circular edge defines the annular opening 19. Upon the uppersurface of inwardly directed flange 22 there is applied a circularseries of even numbers from O to-24, generally indicated by the numeral23, which numbers, as shown in Figure l, are consecutively arranged inincreasing order in a counterclockwise direction from a stationaryfinger stop 25. Stationary finger stop 25 is located between the 0 and24 numbers and is suitably secured at one end to the upper surface offlange 22 and projects into the space above opening 19.

Positioned in housing 15 for association with the series of numbers 23provided on flange 22 is the counter actuating assembly 11. Counteractuating assembly 11 comprises a rotatable'drive structure or member 26which operatively supports a plurality of rectilinearly movableblock-like plungers or push-buttons 27.

Drive structure 26 is formed of a first circular plate 28, a disc-shapedmember 29, and a second circular plate 31, with disk member 29 beingdisposed between plates 28 and 31 and these plates being secured to diskmember 29 by a plurality of screws 32 whereby these three elements moveas a unit.

First circular plate 28 is provided with a circular series of thirteenopenings 33 located near the periphery of the plate and adapted toreceive the finger of an operator. Disc-shaped member29 is likewiseafforded with a circular series of thirteen openings, which are numbered34, located adjacent the periphery thereof through which plungers 27extend, as will be described in detail hereinafter. The second circularplate 31 is provided about its periphery with a series of thirteen slotsor openings 35 conforming in shape to the cross-sectional shape ofplungers 27 for guidance thereof as will be further explained. Withfirst plate 28, disc-shaped member 29', and second plate 31 secured inassembly, the openings 33, 34 and 35 thereof will be positioned invertical alignment for -slidably receiving the plungers 27.

Each plunger 27, as shown, comprises a block-like body portion 36 havingan annular flange 37 adjacent its upper end and a cylindrical portion 38projecting from its upper end. On the face 39 of body portion 36, belowflange 37, is suitably afiixed a generally L-shaped stop element 41formed of resilient metal, whose shorter leg 42 is adapted to be movedinto a recess 43 provided in face 39 in certain operations of plunger27.

Below the stop element 41, face 39 of body portion 36 is transverselyslotted as at 44 for a purpose to be described. From the opposite face45 of body portion 36 at the lower end thereof there extends aprojection or protuberance 46 adapted for effecting operation of a"counter 12, as will be described.

As stated, plungers 27 are movably supported by drive member26, Figures2 and 3 showing the manner of mounting. As shown, each plunger 27 islocated within a set of aligned openings 33, 34 and 35 and associatedwith each plunger is a spring 47 which is contained within '27 to holdit in engagement with the lower surface of first circular plate 28. Withflange 37 disposed against plate 28 cylindrical portion 38 of plunger 27will project into opening 33 of plate 28 in position to be pushed by thefinger of anoperator. Flange 37, it'is apparent, is of a size whichpermits its containment within opening 34 of disc-shaped member 29, butis of greater diameter than the openings 33 and 35 of plates 28 and 31"so that when these plates are aflixed to disc-shaped member 29 plungers27 cannot be removed from drive member 26. Springs 47 serve to holdtheir associated plungers 27 in their upper or inoperative positions ondrive member 26. It is noted that when a plunger 27 occupies its upperposition the stop element 41 carried thereby will be disposed withinopening 34 of disc-shaped member 29.

To support drive member 26 for rotative movement and to locate it onhousing 15 so that first circular plate 28 lies in the plane of inwardlydirected flange 22 of cover 17 there is provided a support member 48.Support member 48 comprises an annular body portion 49 from whichoutwardly laterally projects a camming portion 50 (whose purpose willlater be described in detail) and upwardly from which projects acylindrical portion First circular plate 28, disc-shaped member 29, andsecond plate 31 of drive member 26 are afforded with central openings 52which align in the assembly of these elements. When drive member 26. istested pon. upp

4 surface 53 of annular body portion 49 cylindrical portion 51 thereofextends through aligned openings 52 to project to the exterior ofhousing 15. Drive member 26 in resting upon annular body portion 49 isadapted to rotate about cylindrical portion 51 upon the application ofmanual force thereto. To prevent drive member 26 from vertically movingoff of cylindrical portion 51 there is provided a suitable retainingwasher 54 carried by an appropriate groove 55 afforded in the wallsurface of cylindrical portion 51.

Associated with drive member 26 are a pair of spring pressed detentballs 56 for use in maintaining member 26 against free inadvertent'rnovement relative to its support 48. These detent balls 56, togetherwith their springs, are disposed in recesses 57 provided in the uppersurface 53 of annular body portion 49, and are biased outwardly normallyto extend into openings 58 provided in the second circularplate 31 ofdrive member 26.

To properly position and hold support member 48 which carries drivemember 26 there is formed generally centrally on base 16 of housing 15 aboss 61. Boss 61 includes an annular body portion 62 upon the uppersurface 63 of which is formed a pair of generally semi-circular upwardlyprojecting portions 64 having their straight surfaces 65 in oppositionand with a space 66 therebetween. A circular guide plate 67 having acentral opening 68 is fitted about semi-circular portions 64 and restsupon upper surface 63 of boss 61. Support member 48 in turn rests uponguide plate 6'7 and both support member 48 and guide plate 67 are fixedto boss 61 by screws 69'.

Annular body portion 49 of support member 48 is provided with an annularrecess 71 which receives semi-circular portions 64 to provide for aninterfitting engagement between support 48 and boss 61.

Circular guide plate 67 which rests upon surface 63 of boss 61 isprovided with a series of slots or notches 72 about its periphery toeffect a plurality of circularly arranged teeth-like portions 73 whichare adapted to extend into transverse slots 44 in plungers 27 for apurpose to be described. The number of notches 72 provided correspond tothe number of plungers 27 used in the present device.

Associated with support 48 and boss 61 is a correction assembly 74 whichserves to move stop elements 41 back into their recesses 43 in plungers27 when it is desired to reverse an operation as will be later fullydescribed. Correction assembly 74 comprises a vertically movable annularplate 75 and a pull member 76. Annular plate 75 has a central opening 77which is divided by a strip 78 extending diametrically across opening 77and being depressed so that it lies disposed somewhat below the mainportion of plate 75. As shown in the drawings, plate 75 is provided wtiha depression or dimple 79 within which camming projection 50 provided onsupport member 48 will nest when plate 75 is raised upwardly by pullmember 76 in a correction operation.

Annular plate 75 of correction assembly 74 when in position has thecircular portion thereof fitted about annular body portion 49 of supportmember 48. To accommodate strip 78 of plate 75 body portion 49 isprovided with transverse slots 81 extending from central recess 57thereof. When semi-circular portions 64 are disposed within recess 57these transverse slots 81 will be disposed at either end of space 66provided betweeen semicircular portions 64 thereby to form in effect onecontinuous channel within which strip 78 fits and may move in a verticaldirection.

As stated, correction assembly 74 includes a pull member 76. Pull member76 is provided to effect the desired vertical movement of plate 75 andcomprises a rod 82 having a knob 83 at one end and having its oppositeend cut-down in diameter and externally threaded as at 84.

Rod 82 extends through a central opening provided in body portion 49 ofsupport member 48 to project its forded in annular body portion 49 ofsupport member in vertical alignment with space 66. Spring 86 isdisposed in surrounding relationship to rod 82 and has its lower endpositioned on strip 78 and its upper end bearing on the interior endsurface of recess 87 and exerts its bias downwardly against strip 78normally to hold correction plate 75 in its inoperative position.Vertical movement upwardly of correction plate '75 is effected bypulling on pull member 76 Which compresses spring 86.

As stated hereinabove, the present embodiment of the invention embodiestwelve individual counters 12 and a summing counter 13, the number ofindividual counters corresponding to the number of lengths of lumberwhich it is desired to keep count of with this particular embodi- ,ment.

The details of the specific construction of the counters employed hereinwill not be given as they form no part of the invention. It iscontemplated that any suitable commercially available counters may beemployed.

The counters 12 are self-contained units of conventional constructionand preferably are all alike. Each counter 12 comprises a casing 91within which is disposed a plurality of counter wheels 92 including aunits wheel, a tens wheel and a hundreds wheel, mounted on usual shaftsand with appropriate interconnection whereby the units wheel is actuatedfirst, and then tens wheel and thereafter the hundreds wheel. It isunderstood that a counter may be selected which embodies wheels ofhigher order should additional wheels be necessary to a particular typeof counting operation. The various counter wheels are arranged in lineand each counter has its peripheral face marked with the digits to 9spaced uniformly therearound in accordance with general practice. Casing91 is provided with a suitable window or opening through which a singlerow of aligned numbers will be visible for reading the count computed onthe individual counters 12.

v The counters 12, as shown, are arranged in aligned order withinhousing 15, six at each side of actuator assembly 11. Suitable mountingbrackets 93 are provided for the various counters 12, which brackets areconnected by screws 94 to bosses 95 formed on base 16 to secure thecounters 12 in place. Cover 17 of housing 15 has suitable openings 96provided therein whereby the counter wheels 92 of the counters 12 arevisible through the cover.

To eflect operation of the counters 12 there is associated with each ofsuch counters a drive assembly 97 comprising a rotatable drive wheel 98having uniformly spaced peripheral teeth 99. Drive wheel 98 is adaptedto be actuated by plungers 27 and is carried by a shaft 101 suitablyjournalled in openings provided in bosses '102 formed on base 16 ofhousing 15. A drive connection is effected between drive wheel 98 andits associated counter 12 through a usual flexible connection 103, whichconnection 103 is appropriately secured at one end to shaft 101 whichcarries drive wheel 98 and at its other end to the usual actuator shaftprovided by the counter V 12. Thus, when drive Wheel 98 is rotated byplunger 27,

as will be later fully described, this rotative movement is Itransmitted through flexible connection 103 to the actuator In thepresent instance, to readily accommodate possible total count of highvalue of the individual counters 12 the summing counter 13 is affordedfive counter wheels. Fewer or greater number of wheels, of course, couldbe employed dependent on the total count to be expected in a particularuse of the present invention.

Summing counter 13 is suitably mounted upon base 16 of housing 15 at oneside of counter actuator assembly 11 and, as shown, an opening 106 isprovided in cover 17 to permit viewing of the wheels of counter 13through cover 17.

To actuate counter 13 there is provided a rotatably mounted drive wheel107 having uniformly spaced peripheral teeth 108. Drive wheel 107 iscarried by a shaft 109 suitably supported by a bracket 111 mounted on aboss 112 provided on base 16. A usual flexible drive shaft 113interconnects shaft 108 with the usual actuator shaft of counter 13 sothat rotation of drive wheel 107 will effect rotation of the counterwheels of counter 13.

Drive structure 26 of counter actuator 11 is operatively connected todrive wheel 107 so that rotative movement of structure 26 results inrotative movement of drive wheel 107. This operative, connection issupplied through discshaped member 29 of drive structure 26 which is prcvided about its periphery with uniformly spaced laterally extendingteeth 114 which are adapted to mesh with the teeth 108 of drive wheel107 so that rotation of drive structure 26 results in rotation of wheel107. Rotation of wheel 107, as stated, effects actuation of flexibledrive shaft 113 to operate summing counter 13. There are ten teeth 108provided on drive wheel 107 and the driving relationship between drivewheel 107 and disc-shaped member 29 is such that drive wheel 107 isadapted to be moved one-tenth of a revolution by each tooth 114 of discshaped member 29 so that each such movement of drive wheel 107 will movethe units counter wheel of summing counter 13 one digit. A sutficientnumber of teeth 114, of course, are provided on disc-shaped member 29'toaccommodate the value of the shortest to the longest length of lumber tobe handled by the present device. Thus, if a two-foot length is beingcounted drive wheel 107 will be engaged by two of the teeth 114 ondiscshaped member 29 to be twice actuated one tenth of a revolution toeffect a two digit change on summing counter 13 and if a twenty-fourfoot length is being counted then, obviously, drive wheel 107 will beactuated twenty-four times by the teeth 114 to elfect a correspondingchangein the total count appearing on summing counter 13.

After a counting operation has been effected the counters 12 and summingcounter 13 are, of course, returned to their zero positions. Theconventional counters here contemplated for use in the present inventionhave a usual resetting construction whereby on reverse movement, whichmay be of the order of one revolution, all of the counter wheels of eachcounter are returned to zero. For convenience, all of the counters 12and summing counter 13 are returned .to their zero positions at the sametime. To this end the reset arrangement 14- is provided. Resetarrangement 14 may comprise a plurality of rotatively mounted shafts 116appropriately geared together for common movement upon operation of areset knob 117. Each of the conventional counters 12 includes a resetgear 118 carried by a shaft projecting from the casing 91 of eachcounter, which reset gear 118 may be of the spur type. Summing counter13 is, of

. course, also provided with a reset gear 119. Suitable gears 120 areappropriately positioned on the reset shafts 116 for cooperation withthe reset gears 118 of the various counters 12 and a gear train 121cooperates with reset gear 119 of counter 13, whereby on common rotativeoperation of the shafts 116 by reset knob 117 these counters will all bereturned to their zero positions. This invention is not concerned withthe particular form of reset arrangement utilized, any suitable resetmeans may be employed, the objective sought is only that there beprovision for clearing the counters to permit the perform- Jug-ofsuccessive counting operations, in each instance starting from-zero. H V

v, As stated 'hereinabove, the present embodiment of this i-nventionhasbeen described in connection with its use for the counting of lumber. Itwill provide a sepa- :rate count of the number of pieces of lumber ofthe same length placed in a load while simultaneously providinganindication of the total'lineal feet of all of the pieces of lumber ofall lengths.

In the use of the present device in a load counting operation, theoperator will first insert his finger or a suitable instrument into anopening 33 of counter actuator 11 which is positioned adjacent thatnumber on annular flange 22 of cover 17 which corresponds to the"length-of the piece of lumber to be counted. In this action, he willapply a downward force to the plunger 27 which projects into thatopening to depress this plunger against the'bias of its spring 47,plunger 27 beingproperly guided in its downward movement by the 'alignedslots in guide plates 31 and 67. In this movement downwardly of plunger27 under the force applied to it projection 46 thereof will engage atooth 99' of the drive wheel 98 disposed therebelow to rotate such wheeland thereby actuate through itsflexible shaft 10-1 the counter 12associated with that drive wheel. As stated hereinbefore there is adrive wheel 98 associated with each of the counters 12. Each drive wheel98 is interconnected with its counter 12 through its flexible "shaft 101so that when the drive wheel 98 is turned by jthej-projection 46'of aplunger 27 a change of one num- "ber will be made in the count on thecounter. As shown, one'drive wheel 98 is disposed generallydirectlybelow each of the numerals, except for the zero, ap-

pearing uponannular flange 22 of cover 17. The drive wheel 98 disposedbelow numeral 2 of flange 22 is, of course, connected to drivethecounter 12 identified with numeral 2 on cover 17, the drive wheel 98associated with numeral 4 on flange 22 connects with the counter 12identified'with numeral 4, and so .on with each of the "drive wheels 98.

After an operator has actuated a plunger 27 and this action has beenregistered on its associated counter 12 he releases pressure from theplunger. However, this plunger does not return to its original positioneven though spring 47 exerts its bias to move it upwardly. Its upwardmovement is stopped by the engagement of shorter leg 42 of resilientstop4-1 with the under-surface of guide plate 31 of counter actuator 11. V

' After an operator has'registered a piece of lumber on a counter '12henext'must register the lineal footage of :thatpiece upon summingcounter 13. To do this, he :keeps his-fingerinithe same opening throughwhich he actuated the plunger 27 and rotates drive structure 26ofcounter actuator 11 clockwise until his finger strikes lfin-ger stop25. In this rotative movement, plunger 27 which was actuated is bodilycarried away from the drive wheel-98 which it had operated. Stop 41,which prevents plunger 27 from entering its opening, so positionsplunger -27 that the slot 44 inits body pontion 36 will accommodata andpermit the teeth 73 of guide plate 67 to be :pa'sse'cl. Teeth 73 alsocooperate with slot 44 to hold plunger 27 level and steady in thisrotativc movement.

As; the operator'rotates drive structure 26 laterally extending teeth114 of disc-shaped member 29 engage with and move drive wheel 107 whichis associated with summin'g counter 13. The number of teeth 114 whichenfgage drive wheel 107 corresponds to the length of the 'pi'eceoflumber which hadbeen registered on counter 'I'Za'nd drive wheel 107 willbemoved that many times. drive wheel 107 will through its flexible shaft113 operate summing counter 13 a number of times equal with the length'of such piece of lumber.

complete counting operation, therefore, the present 'de-,

8 Catnming portion 50 projects in the path of travel of stop '41carried'by a rot-atively displaced plunger27 and is so located withinhousing 15 that as the operators finger nears the zero position atfinger stop 25 stop 41 will strike camming portion '50 and be movedthereby to be pressed in the direction of face 39 'of'theplunger to moveits shorter leg 42 into its recess 43th'ereby disengaging it from guideplate 31. After the operator has reached the zero position at fingerstop 25 he removes :his finger. restrained by stop 41 it will moveupwardly under the Thereafter, since plunger 27 is no longer force ofits spring 47 into its normal position relativeto counter actuator 11.Now, the counting device '10 is ready for the next counting operation.It is noted that it is not necessary to return the plunger 27 which hadbeen actuated to its original position relative to the drive wheel 98which it'had operated, another plunger 27 now occupies that originalposition. Thus, if a piece of lumber of the same length is next to becounted the operator need only actuate the plunger 27 which is nowassociated with the number on flange 22 which corresponds After eachvice will be in position for immediately effecting the count of anotherpiece of lumber.

Correction means are provided in the present device to care for asituation where an operator inadvertently starts to register a piece oflumber wrongly; for instance, he may depress a plunger 27 to indicate a10 foot length "when he had intended to register an 8 foot length and hemay have started a rotative operation of counter actuator 11. In suchcase, the operator willreversely rotate counter actuator 11 so thatteeth 114 thereof will operate drive wheel 107 in reverse direction toremove the count which was placed on summing counter '13.

Then he will pull on knob 83 of pull member 76 tolift correction plate75 to abut it against the under-surface of plate 31 of drive structure26, camming projection 50 nesting within depression 79 to permit thislifting. Cortor will then release his hold on knob 83 and spring 86 willreturn correction plate 75 and pull member 76 to their inoperativepositions.

Obviously, the operator could, if desired, operate the correction plate75 at any time if he wanted to be assured that all of the plungers 27were in their proper starting positions prior to a counting operation.

After an operator has registered the number of pieces placed in a loadand obtained a total lineal footage count on summing counter 13 he thenreturns all of counters 12 and summing counter 13 to zero to place thedevice in condition for the next counting operation.

With the presentcounting device it is readilyapparent that thepossibility of human error in counting the oontents of a load isdefinitely greatly reduced. After an operator has obtained a tally ofthe numbers of the individual lengths of pieces of lumber and theaggregate 'cross-section'of the pieces of lumber which have beencounted.

While a certain preferred embodiment of the invention has beenspecifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is notlimited thereto as many variations will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadestpossible interpretation within the terms ofthe following claims.

. lTi Tt What we claim is:

l. Mechanism for counting individually a number of different items andfor totalizing the aggregate value of the individual counts, saidmechanism comprising a plurality of piece-counters corresponding innumber to the number of different items to be counted, a totalizingcounter, a plurality of drive means, each operatively associated with asingle piece-counter, a plurality of independently operable membersadapted to actuate selectively each of said drive means to operate eachof said piece counters individually, an actuable member' supporting saidplurality of independently operable members, means supporting saidactuable member for movement selectively relative to each of saidplurality of drive means, said plurality of independently operablemembers being bodily displaceable upon said movement of said actuablemember to locate each of said independently operable members selectivelyin operative position relative to each of said drive members, and meansproviding an operative connection between said actuable member and saidtotalizing counter for operation of the latter by the former on movementof said actuable member relative to said drive means.

2. Mechanism for counting individually a number of different itemsand'for totalizing the aggregate value of theindividual counts, saidmechanism comprising a plurality of piece-counters corresponding innumber to the ,number ofwditferent items to be counted, a totalizingcounter, a drive means for each of said piece-counters, means providinganoperative connectionbetween each of said drivemeans and its associatedpiece counter, a rotary support member, a plurality of independentlyoperable members supported for rectilinear movement by said rotarymember and each operable to actuate each of said drive means to operatesaid piece-counters individually, said plurality of independentlyoperable members being bodily displaceable upon rotative movement ofsaid rotary support member to locate each of said independently operablemembers selectively in operative position relative to each of said drivemembers, and means providing an operative connection between said rotarysupport member and said totalizing counter for operation of saidtotalizing counter on rotation of said rotary support member.

3. Mechanism for counting individually a number of different items andfor totalizing the aggregate value of such individual counting, saidmechanism comprising a plurality of piece-counters, onecorresponding toeach of said different items, a totalizing counter, a plurality of drivemeans, each operatively connected to a single piececounter for actuationthereof, a rotary member, a plurality of manually depressible,independently operable, plungers slidably mounted on said rotary member,said plungers corresponding in number to the number of piece counters,each of said plungers being depressible to operate each of said drivemeans to actuate said piececounters individually, said rotary memberbeing movable to move said plungers for selective operation of each ofsaid drive means, a drive means for said totalizing counter, and meansproviding an operative connection between said latter drive means andsaid rotary member whereby on rotation of said rotary member saidtotalizing counter is operated.

4. Mechanism for counting individually a number of different items andfor totalizing the aggregate value of the individual counts, saidmechanism comprising a plurality of piece-counters corresponding innumber to the number of different items to be counted, a totalizingcounter, a plurality of drive means, each operatively connected to asingle piece-counter for actuation thereof, a rotatively mountedactuator member, means providing an operative connection between saidrotative actuator member and said totalizing member whereby on rotationof said rotative member said totalizing member is Operated, a pluralityof manually depressible, independently operable, plungers slidablymounted on said rotative actuator member, each of said plungers beingdepressible to operate each of said drive means to operate saidpiece-counters individually, stop means associated with each of saidplungers to retain a plunger in its depressed position after a counteractuating operation, and means operative to automatically return thedepressed plunger to its normal position upon operation of said rotativeactuator member to actuate said totalizing counter.

5. Mechanism for counting individually at number of difierent items andfor totalizing the aggregate value of such individual counting, saidmechanism comprising a plurality of piece-counters corresponding innumber to the number of different items to be counted, a totalizingcounter, a drive means for each of said piece-counters, means providingan operative connection between each of said drive means and itsassociated piece counter, a rotary member, a plurality of independentlyoperable members supported for rectilinear movement by said rotarymember and each operable to actuate a drive means, to operate apiece-counter, said plurality of independently operable members beingbodily displaceable upon rotative movement of said rotary member toposition each of said independently operable members for actuation ofeach of said drive members to operate each of said piece countersindividually, a drive means for said totalizing counter,and peripheralteeth on said rotary member adapted to operate said drive means for saidtotalizing counter to actuate the latter.

6. Mechanism for counting individually a number of dilferent items andfor totalizing the aggregate value of the individual counts, saidmechanism comprising a plurality of piece-counters corresponding innumber to the number of different items to be counted, a totalizingcounter, a plurality of drive means, each operatively connected to asingle piece-counter for actuation thereof, an annular, rotativelymounted, actuator member having peripheral teeth thereon, meansincluding a drive gear for operating said totalizing counter, saidperipheral teeth engageable with said drive gear for actuation thereofon rotative movement of said actuator member, a plurality of manuallydepressible, independently operable plungers slidably mounted on saidrotative actuator member, each of said plungers being depressible tooperate each of said drive means to operate said piece-countersindividually, stop means associated with each of said plungers to retaina plunger in its depressed position after a counter actuating operation,and means operative to automatically return the depressed plunger to itsnormal position upon operation of said rotative actuator member toactuate said totalizing counter.

7. Mechanism for counting individually a number of different items andfor totalizing the aggregate value of the individual counts, saidmechanism comprising a pinrality of piece-counters corresponding innumber to the number of different items to be counted, a totalizingcounter, a plurality of drive means, eachoperatively connected to asingle piece-counter for actuation thereof, a rotatively mountedactuator member, means providing an operative connection between saidrotative actuator member and said totalizing member whereby on rotationof said rotating actuator member said totalizing member is operated, aplurality of manually depressible, independently operable, plungersslidably mounted on said rotative actuator member, each of said plungersbeing depressible to operate each of said drive means to operate saidpiece-counters individually, stop means asso ciated with each of saidplungers to retain a plunger in its depressed position after a counteractuating operation, means operative to automatically return thedepressed plunger to its normal position upon operation of said rotativeactuator member to actuate said totalizing counter, and correction meansindependently operable to return an actuated plunger from its depressedposition.

awaese 8. Mechanism for counting individually a number of differentitems and for'totalizing the aggregate value of rality of piece-counterscorresponding in number to the number of different items to be counted,a totalizing counter, a plurality of drive means, each operativelyconnected to a single piece-counter for actuation thereof, a rotativelymounted actuator member, means providing an operative connection betweensaid rotative actuator member and said totalizing member whereby onrotation of said rotative actuating member said totalizing member isoperated, a plurality of manually depressible, inde-' pendentlyoperable, plungers slidably mounted on said rotative actuator member,each of said plungers being depressible to operate each of said drivemeans to 013- erate said piece-counters individually, stop meansassociated with each of said plungers to retain a plunger in itsdepressed position after a counter actuating operation, means operativeto automatically return the depressed plunger to its normal positionupon operation of said rotative actuator member to actuate saidtotalizing counter, and correction means independently operable toreturn an actuated plunger from its depressed position, said correctionmeans comprising a bodily displaceable plate member engageable with saidstop means for movement thereof to release said depressed plunger.

9. Mechanism for counting individually a number of different items andfor totalizing the aggregate value of such individual counting, saidmechanism comprising a plurality of piece-counters corresponding innumber to the number of different itemsto belcounted, a totalizingcounter, a drive means for each of said piece-counters,

means providing an operative connection between each of said drive meansand its associated piece counter, an annular, rotatively mounted,actuator member having peripheral teeth thereon, means including a drivegear for operating said totalizing counter, said peripheral teethengageable with said drive gear for actuation thereof on rotativemovement of said actuator member, a plurality of manually depressive,independently operable, plungers slidably mounted on said rotativeactuator member, each of said plungers being depressible to operate eachof said drive means to operate said piece-counters individually,spring-biased stop means positioned on each of said plungers adapted toretain a plunger in its depressed position after a counter actuatingoperation,

means operative to return automatically the depressed plunger to itsnormal position after operation of said rotative actuator member toactuate 'said totalizing counter, and correction means independentlyoperable to return an actuated plunger from its depressed position, saidcorrection means comprising a bodily displaceable plate memberengageable with said stop means for-movement thereof to release saiddepressed plunger.

Terrill -2. Oct. 20, 1953

